How Westgrove Became Our Dog Park
A Community Story (adapted from Fairfax County Parks Authority Westgrove Master Plan )
Aerial View - Westgrove Dog Park 1986
Long before Westgrove Park became a place where dogs run free and neighbors greet one another by name, the land had a very different purpose—and an uncertain future. The story of Westgrove Dog Park is not just about a park amenity; it is a story of community advocacy, thoughtful reuse of land, and a shared commitment to balancing recreation with stewardship.
Before There Was a Park
For much of the mid‑20th century, the heart of what is now Westgrove Park was occupied by a wastewater treatment plant. While the facility served an important role for surrounding neighborhoods, it left behind a landscape shaped by heavy infrastructure, access roads, fencing, and utilities. When the treatment plant was decommissioned and demolished in the mid‑1980s, the land did not immediately transform into a park. Instead, it entered a long in‑between phase—no longer industrial, but not yet fully reimagined.
Even after the property was transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 2001, Westgrove remained largely undeveloped. Forested areas reclaimed much of the site, open lawns spread across the former plant footprint, and a wastewater pump station continued to operate quietly in the background. For nearby residents, Westgrove was a green buffer and a hidden landscape—valuable, but undefined.
Early Planning—and a Pause
In 2004, the Park Authority began a master planning effort to determine how Westgrove might serve the community. Early discussions explored a wide range of possibilities, from active recreation to more passive uses. These conversations sparked strong opinions, and by 2005 the planning process was put on hold. For several more years, the park remained largely unchanged, waiting for a clearer path forward.
A Simple Idea with a Big Impact
That path began to take shape in 2010, when a group of local dog owners came together with a practical and compelling idea: create an off‑leash dog area at Westgrove Park. The proposal recognized something important about the site—much of the central area had already been disturbed by past development, making it well suited for a use that did not require digging, planting, or extensive new construction.
The Pumphouse Association for Canine Kindness (P.A.C.K.) formally approached the Park Authority with the request, offering not only enthusiasm but also long‑term stewardship and partnership. In 2012, the Park Authority Board approved an interim, two‑year off‑leash dog area at Westgrove. Later that year, the dog park opened—and almost immediately, it became one of the most active and well‑used parts of the park.
The Dog Park Changes the Conversation
The success of the interim dog park helped restart the long‑deferred master planning process. When the Park Authority kicked off renewed public engagement in 2012, the off‑leash dog area was front and center in community discussion. Public meetings drew large crowds, and comments consistently reflected strong support for making the dog park a permanent feature.
At the same time, the renewed planning process took a careful, comprehensive look at what else Westgrove Park could become. This was not a foregone conclusion—many alternative uses were seriously evaluated before any final decisions were made.
Alternatives That Were Considered
During the master planning process, the Park Authority examined a wide range of potential uses for the former wastewater treatment plant site and surrounding areas:
Through this process, Westgrove’s off‑leash dog area stood out as a rare solution that met multiple goals at once: it reused disturbed land, addressed a documented community need, avoided high‑quality natural resource areas, and had strong, organized community support.
From Interim to Permanent
By the time the Westgrove Park Master Plan was approved in 2013, the evidence was clear. The dog park was not only popular—it was appropriate. The plan formally recommended making the off‑leash dog area a permanent use, along with improvements such as permanent fencing, vegetative buffers, and ongoing coordination with the Park Authority.
Just as important, the plan recognized the role of community partners like P.A.C.K. in making the dog park successful. Stewardship, volunteerism, and collaboration were not afterthoughts—they were central to why the dog park worked so well.
A Community Success Story
Today, Westgrove Dog Park stands as an example of what can happen when community members engage constructively with public agencies, advocate thoughtfully, and remain committed over time. What was once a fenced‑off utility site is now a welcoming place where dogs exercise, neighbors connect, and stewardship is shared.
The early days of Westgrove Dog Park remind us that good parks are not accidental. They are shaped by listening, compromise, and care—and by people who see possibility in overlooked places. For Friends of Westgrove Park and P.A.C.K., this history is something to be proud of. Westgrove is not just a dog park in the community. It is a dog park created by the community.
Before There Was a Park
For much of the mid‑20th century, the heart of what is now Westgrove Park was occupied by a wastewater treatment plant. While the facility served an important role for surrounding neighborhoods, it left behind a landscape shaped by heavy infrastructure, access roads, fencing, and utilities. When the treatment plant was decommissioned and demolished in the mid‑1980s, the land did not immediately transform into a park. Instead, it entered a long in‑between phase—no longer industrial, but not yet fully reimagined.
Even after the property was transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority in 2001, Westgrove remained largely undeveloped. Forested areas reclaimed much of the site, open lawns spread across the former plant footprint, and a wastewater pump station continued to operate quietly in the background. For nearby residents, Westgrove was a green buffer and a hidden landscape—valuable, but undefined.
Early Planning—and a Pause
In 2004, the Park Authority began a master planning effort to determine how Westgrove might serve the community. Early discussions explored a wide range of possibilities, from active recreation to more passive uses. These conversations sparked strong opinions, and by 2005 the planning process was put on hold. For several more years, the park remained largely unchanged, waiting for a clearer path forward.
A Simple Idea with a Big Impact
That path began to take shape in 2010, when a group of local dog owners came together with a practical and compelling idea: create an off‑leash dog area at Westgrove Park. The proposal recognized something important about the site—much of the central area had already been disturbed by past development, making it well suited for a use that did not require digging, planting, or extensive new construction.
The Pumphouse Association for Canine Kindness (P.A.C.K.) formally approached the Park Authority with the request, offering not only enthusiasm but also long‑term stewardship and partnership. In 2012, the Park Authority Board approved an interim, two‑year off‑leash dog area at Westgrove. Later that year, the dog park opened—and almost immediately, it became one of the most active and well‑used parts of the park.
The Dog Park Changes the Conversation
The success of the interim dog park helped restart the long‑deferred master planning process. When the Park Authority kicked off renewed public engagement in 2012, the off‑leash dog area was front and center in community discussion. Public meetings drew large crowds, and comments consistently reflected strong support for making the dog park a permanent feature.
At the same time, the renewed planning process took a careful, comprehensive look at what else Westgrove Park could become. This was not a foregone conclusion—many alternative uses were seriously evaluated before any final decisions were made.
Alternatives That Were Considered
During the master planning process, the Park Authority examined a wide range of potential uses for the former wastewater treatment plant site and surrounding areas:
- Community gardens were proposed, but concerns about buried demolition materials made the soil unsuitable for food growing.
- Disc golf was considered, but the park’s forested areas were designated for resource protection, and a course would have required more disturbance than was appropriate.
- Athletic fields, including rugby, were discussed, but they conflicted with both environmental constraints and the already successful interim dog park use.
- Playgrounds were evaluated but ultimately not included, since similar facilities were already available nearby at Belle View Elementary School.
- Alternative dog park locations, including sites in Mount Vernon District Park, were also explored and rejected due to steep slopes, stormwater concerns, and environmental agreements.
Through this process, Westgrove’s off‑leash dog area stood out as a rare solution that met multiple goals at once: it reused disturbed land, addressed a documented community need, avoided high‑quality natural resource areas, and had strong, organized community support.
From Interim to Permanent
By the time the Westgrove Park Master Plan was approved in 2013, the evidence was clear. The dog park was not only popular—it was appropriate. The plan formally recommended making the off‑leash dog area a permanent use, along with improvements such as permanent fencing, vegetative buffers, and ongoing coordination with the Park Authority.
Just as important, the plan recognized the role of community partners like P.A.C.K. in making the dog park successful. Stewardship, volunteerism, and collaboration were not afterthoughts—they were central to why the dog park worked so well.
A Community Success Story
Today, Westgrove Dog Park stands as an example of what can happen when community members engage constructively with public agencies, advocate thoughtfully, and remain committed over time. What was once a fenced‑off utility site is now a welcoming place where dogs exercise, neighbors connect, and stewardship is shared.
The early days of Westgrove Dog Park remind us that good parks are not accidental. They are shaped by listening, compromise, and care—and by people who see possibility in overlooked places. For Friends of Westgrove Park and P.A.C.K., this history is something to be proud of. Westgrove is not just a dog park in the community. It is a dog park created by the community.